CRI听力:Human Rights Report Focuses on Development, Rule of Law

Chinese experts say the white paper on Progress in China's Human Rights last year reveals that human rights protection in China is improving with the times.

Liu Huawen is the vice director of the Center for Human Rights Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

He says the practice of putting economic development above other forms of development has shifted in recent times.

"Our views on human rights are advancing with the times, and so are our understandings and promotion. We started from providing adequate clothing and food for people and moved further to building a well-off society, from economic development alone to the development of economic, political, social, cultural, and ecological civilizations."

Liu also says that human rights development in China has also been demonstrated in environmental protection and the fight against corruption.

"The white paper devotes a special chapter to the Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment. Indeed, China overhauled the environmental protection law in 2014 to further specify the responsibilities of the government and enterprises in protecting environment, as well as the rights and obligations of the citizens. This has gained mass support."

Unlike previous reports, this year's white paper specially highlights protecting people's right to impartial trials.

Liu adds that the country has taken concrete measures in judicial system reform.

"The white paper also devotes a special chapter to the right to Impartial Trial. Since last year, we have made many breakthroughs and put forward a host of specific measures for the reform of the judicial system and the distribution of judicial resources, all of which are of great importance to the protection of human rights."

The report points out that the freedom of speech is being better protected in China.

It says by the end of 2014 the population of netizens in China was 650 million.

The public can air opinions, and raise criticisms and suggestions freely through the news media, and discuss problems of the country and its society.

The report also highlights the country's notable achievements in fighting terrorism, protecting the religious belief freedom of ethnic minorities and improving rehabilitation for disabled persons.

For CRI, I'm Guo Yan.